Terrance J. Lawler, 70, of 21485 Reed Road, Watertown, passed May 30, 2017 at the Samaritan Medical Center surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born on September 29, 1946 in Lefargeville, son of William E. and Merle I Morse Lawler. He attended Sackets Harbor High School and then entered the US Marine Corps. on December 30, 1964. He was honorably discharged on April 1, 1968 as a Sergeant. He received two Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Service medal,the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the National Defense Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Sharpshooter Badge.
Upon his discharge he moved to Florida and for a brief time worked for Alcoa before returning to Sackets Harbor where he held various jobs. He then enrolled in RIT earning a Bachelor’s Degree in 1974. During the course of his employment he worked for Jefferson County, The Thousand Island Bridge Authority, and for over 20 years he was the Director of Logistics at Fort Drum, where he retired from. Following his retirement in 2004 he started VETCO Contracting Services in Watertown, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, up until he passed.
He married his loving and faithful wife, Wendie C. White on August 19, 1972 at Asbury Methodist Church in Watertown. They went on to have one child, Meghan Lea.
Mr. Lawler was a member of the Watertown Elks Lodge #496, Watertown American Legion and VFW.
Terry enjoyed cooking, reminiscing about old times, rides in the country, and giving people a hard time! Some of the best times of his life were when he was in the service, especially his time spent in Vietnam. His ultimate enjoyment was his time spent with his family, especially his 3 grandchildren. They were the most important people in his life, his pride and joy.
Among his survivors are his loving wife, Wendie C. Lawler, Watertown; his beloved daughter and son-in-law, Meghan and Leo Rogers, Watertown and his grandchildren, Travis (T-Man), Luke (El-Duko) and Madison (Madie-Ross) Rogers. He has six brothers and four sisters in law, Jim Lawler, Sackets Harbor, Michael and Yvonne Lawler, FL/Henderson Harbor, Neil Lawler, Sackets Harbor, William and Colleen Lawler, Dexter, Patrick and MaryJo Lawler, Rochester, Timothy and Crystal Lawler, Adams Center; four sisters and two brothers-in-law,Kathleen Maring, Watertown, Elaine and Butch Huttermann, Sackets Harbor, Judith and James Madill, Chaumont, Candace Lawler, Sackets Harbor; several nieces and nephews.
He is previously deceased by his sister and her husband, Anne and Ronnie Laseck, a brother Tommy, brother-in-law, Donald H. Maring, and Debbie Moculski.
Calling hours will be 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home 117 N. Massey St., Watertown. The funeral service will be held immediately following the calling hours at the funeral home.
A Celebration of Life will begin at 6 p.m. at the Barracks Inn in Sackets Harbor for family and friends.
Donations may be made to the General Brown Booster Club or to the Purple Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers.
Online condolences may be made at www.hartandbrucefh.com